Don’t do the CELTA
A guest piece by “TEFLelastic”
I finished my CELTA about a two months ago and it was real shock, and in no way a pleasant one. Read about TEFL in The Guardian and it’s all “working holiday” and “see the world for free”. No one tells you about having to prepare lessons, read books, learn grammar and stuff like that.
I found it really stressful to stand up in front of a class of people and teach them. Why can’t they make it easier? Why don’t they give us Advanced students we can actually chat to at the beginning of the course- that’s got to be an easier way into it? Or, we could get our students watching a video for one of the lessons to give us a break. Or maybe start our lessons with just one student and then work our way up.
Anyway, I soon found out in my first teaching job that the stuff they teach you on the CELTA doesn’t work in real life. It’s all “get your students in pairs” or “get them in groups of three”. How are you supposed to do that in real class with 13 people?? Or “get them talking”, “low TTT”, all that crap. That’s all very well for the Pre-Int students on the course, but Elementary students can’t say anything in English, can they? I explained to my Elementary classes that they were going to concentrate on understanding me first and then get onto talking later, and they all sat there nodding and smiling and so that is what we did. Of course, the DoS didn’t like it because she’d gone through the CELTA brainwashing course back in her day too.
Also, all the stuff you get marked down for in your CELTA lessons are fine in real life. If you overrun, the students are just glad to get some free minutes of class. And who needs a warmer when they’re on the edge of their seats when you tell them what you think about their country?
Also, 1000 pounds for a teaching certificate?? I’m not asking to become a bleeding doctor, am I? What is wrong with these people? Why don’t they just make it shorter and cheaper? It’s all just a scam, I reckon. In my school there were four teacher trainers, including the school owner, and you could tell they were getting paid much more than the rest of us, doing their prep on their laptops and coming to work in suits. Nice little earner, I reckon.
So, don’t bother with the CELTA. It’s no fun, and there are loads of jobs in China you can get without it.
Tags: guest writers
April 13th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
An interesting perspective, to say the least. When I say interesting, I of course mean ‘bollocks’. OK, I agree, there are a lot of teaching courses out there to be avoided, but suggesting that you’ll be perfectly fine without doing a CELTA is crazy. Just because a school will accept you without a certificate doesn’t mean that the qualification isn’t worth shit, it means that the school offering you the job isn’t worth shit.
Doing a four-week foundation course is bloody hard work but gives you a great insight into what you’re getting yourself into. I guess the author is in that stage of post-CELTA teaching when the novelty has worn off and realisation that this is a job like any other that requires commitment has set in, so I’ll give you some slack. Nevertheless, this is still a ridiculous thing to suggest.
April 13th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
I think a lot of post CELTA teachers feel exactly like this poster. Which may be why we need to do DELTAs? To sort the sheep from the goats?
It’s true a lot of what is pushed so hard on a CELTA is hard to make work in real classes, but when I’m having a bad time with one or more classes, getting back to the basics that CELTA level courses teach is usually a big help in getting back on track.
So – it’s an interesting post and an opinion I find enlightening. But I don’t agree.
DO A CELTA or CERT TESOL. You owe it yourself and your students.
April 13th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
“TEFLelastic” wrote:
“I found it really stressful to stand up in front of a class of people and teach them. Why can’t they make it easier? ”
Well, believe it or not they did and welcome to the profession. If you think teaching a 15 minute lesson with 12 or so students is stressful, wait until you enter the real world and have to teach at least four hours per day with 20-40 students in a class. You may also end up having to teach medical English, technical writing, business English or even a class on ‘English for food inspectors’. You haven’t got chance without some training , and of greater importance, you OWE it to the students to know what you are doing — they are PAYING for it. If you just want to sit on the beach with a margarita in your hand, so be it, but please stay out of the classroom and finance your travels by other means.
Besides, is ANY TEFL certificate really so stressful??? The course is 30 days, but only M-F, which makes it only 20 days. Then there’s the first day of orientation when you don’t teach and the last day of the course when you pop the cork on the champagne. That leaves a grand total of 18 days (with weekends off to do some sightseeing ). Is that really too much time to ask of someone before they become an educator?
April 13th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
I did my CELTA 2 years ago and it was a great foundation for my teaching. I can’t imagine going into teaching with anything less.
The CELTA is of course not perfect, but it’s probably as good as one can get in such a short time. However, I agree with what the author said about a lot of teaching techniques not being very useful for elementary students. And also students that are NOT motivated. You can prepare wonderful information gap activities but it’ll totally fail if the students aren’t motivated. (Of course one could argue that they would most likely be motivated since they are adults and CELTA is for teaching adults, not children or teenagers)
I feel that the CELTA assumes that you’re going to teach students who have at least learnt a bit of English before. If the student is an absolute beginner, that’s a whole different story altogether. A teacher who teaches in the students’ first language is probably better initially. At least for me, the teaching practices in CELTA didn’t include such low-level students and a lot of stuff we learned wouldn’t work with low level students or unmotivated ones.
But that’s not the fault of CELTA at all. You can’t learn everything on one short course.
April 13th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
And this is what is wrong with the profession: lazy butts who don’t want to do any work to get paid albeit a “small” salary it’s a salary.
People like this joker totally disrespect the fact that teaching English is not a holiday, it is a profession.
Go work in MacDonalds if you can’t be bothered to learn enough grammar to actually teach it.
Go work as a cocktail waiter if you can’t be bothered to work out the dynamics of er, 5 x 2 groups and 1 x 3 or wait for it, 3 x 3 and 2 x 2 will give you 13. Oh wait, you need logic skills to handle a cocktail bar – go work in coal mine.
Overrunning, mr ego head, is sloppy and you make your students late for whatever their next appointment is.
1000 pounds is a lot of money, you’re right about that but maybe it helps wean out the time-wasters, free-loaders and I-don’t-know-what-else-to-do-with-my lifers.
Karenne
p.s. the point of vehement response is GET a teaching certificate.
April 13th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
Is this a joke, ALex? I fear not. Actually, it’s a very fair case for making the CELTA longer – two or three months would be much better, I reckon, and would deter half-arsed dimwits like the one above.
But it IS a joke, innit!?
April 13th, 2009 at 8:52 pm
ahh…satire…a tricky concept for some…
April 13th, 2009 at 11:45 pm
This is a joke, but it’s funny because it’s true…..
But when I started teaching, I didn’t really know what a CELTA was. A lack of qualifications doesn`t necessarily make a bad teacher. However, if you intend to be in it for the long haul I think continuing development keeps you motivated, if nothing else.
But there are people like this, and they get the jobs they deserve. I think the poor teachers and poor schools are finding it tougher as students get more savvy and have more options online. (That would be my feeling in Japan, but you might not agree, Alex?)
April 15th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
What a ridiculous thing to say. ” No one tells you about having to prepare lessons, read books, learn grammar and stuff like that.” Are you completely nuts? What on earth were you expecting? To get paid for doing nothing??
Karenne Sylvester has written pretty much my reaction to this joke of a post, so I’ll just say ‘ditto’ to what she’s said.
April 17th, 2009 at 9:16 am
[...] again is in reponse to an article on big Alex’s TEFL Tastic blog questioning the merits of doing the CELTA course. The respondents, of which I was the first, seem to agree that the author’s opinions need to [...]
April 17th, 2009 at 9:18 am
This post is a great opportunity for me to dredge up old blog content of my own:
http://www.eltworld.net/blog/2009/04/four-week-tefl-course-worth-it/
April 20th, 2009 at 2:44 am
As a “real” teacher with bachelor’s and master’s in Education who has taught in universities, regular high schools and technical colleges I think CELTA is a joke and a sorry excuse for people with no teaching qualifications who want to get into a classroom ASAP and feel like they really do have qualifications.
I always see “CELTA or equivalent” and think to myself… is 5 years of full-time study + 4 full-time teaching practicums (3 weeks, 5 weeks, 7 weeks and a full term) equivalent to CELTA (“100 hours + 6 hours ASSESSED teaching”) jeez… what a crock…
- If you want to be a real teacher then get your bachelor’s in education.
- If you want to backpack around the world teaching English then don’t get anything… get a working holiday VISA.
- If you’ve backpacked around the world for a few years and want to pretend you’re a real teacher then get a CELTA. You won’t earn any extra money, have any extra job progression or be able to teach in universities or regular high schools…etc.
April 20th, 2009 at 10:43 am
If my government would pay for me to take a one year teaching course only to see me flee the country at the first opportunity, I would of course quite happily take it.
I’ve never heard of anyone working as a state high school teacher in a foreign country just with the teaching qualification from back home (PGCE in British terms). International schools, yes.
April 21st, 2009 at 9:27 am
Hi,
I am the editor of an ELT newsletter ELTWeekly.com (http://eltweekly.com).
I would love to post your content in my newsletter it has subscriber base of 850 teachers in more than 35 countries.
Tarun (tarunjpatel AT gmail.com)
April 23rd, 2009 at 6:46 am
Nicely written, if one sided, critique of a CELTA course – pity the writer didn’t ask a lot more questions before or during his interview for the course. Pity he didn’t do a bit more research before he decided to do the CELTA. Pity he wasn’t told, or didn’t listen to, what the interviewer said during his interview. Pity he did an intensive four week course, and not an extensive course as is available in some places.
Part of my job as a teacher trainer is to observe teachers in the classroom and give them feedback. It is usually mind bogglingly clear which teachers have taken a CELTA, or Trinity certificate, course and which haven’t! Those that haven’t, tend to be teaching in a similar way to the way they were taught. As there has been a time lag of several, or more, years since they were taught they are generally not taking advantage of modern methodology based on the research that has taken place since they were at school.
As TEFL is a commercial market, the CELTA is a commercial product – if it were more a part of mainstream education perhaps with state sponsored training things would be different. Better or worse, who knows?
April 23rd, 2009 at 7:57 am
Hi everyone
I have a question.
I’m in the process of finishing my teacher training in Belgium. It’s a post-MA training at university of one year, consisting of a whole bunch of classes and 4 internships in 4 different schools. My teacher training focused on teaching English to high school students and adults.
I’ve already been accepted to teach in China, but I was wondering whether I’d ever need to take an aditional CELTA course to get into better schools or to teach in other countries. Do any of you have any idea about that?
Thanks!
April 23rd, 2009 at 11:36 am
I would expect that ‘no one told you about having to prepare lessons etc’ because it is assumed that at work you actually do some. Also, it can be stressful standing in front of people and teaching them, in the post CELTA world you have to do that so they are merely trying to create situations that mimic real life.
Did anyone ever tell you to run all lessons exactly the same? Use all the techniques all the time you learnt on CELTA? Or maybe do what suits each student and class best?
Regarding being a doctor, it would cost you loads more to train to be a doctor, and quite a bit of reading of books and learning about bones and all that stuff, would you expect to be given ‘a patient with just a little cut’ in the begining to ease you in?
It’s not rocket science but if you want to do a good job at you need to put the effort in.
Finally, on learning grammar, I would sugest you check your use of articles, have a quick look at the first sentence.
April 23rd, 2009 at 12:07 pm
Hi Jorinde
I’d imagine it depends on the amount of observed teaching practice. It sounds like you would have had a lot, so if I was you I’d put that on my CV in easy to understand terms for school owners who are only familiar with the CELTA, e.g.
“… hours of observed teaching practice (equivalent to … times the CELTA course)”
Showing any equivalent to a British PGCE or the American equivalent could help as well, I’m guessing
April 23rd, 2009 at 12:12 pm
I read through the whole post thinking it was a joke. I can’t think of anyone I did the CELTA with who would have said such things fresh off of CELTA or a year later.
I can’t imagine how someone could get a passing grade while having such thoughts.
I do hope that the writer will find their way to their true calling, it is clearly not teaching EFL/ESL.
But really, this post is just a joke, isn’t it?
April 23rd, 2009 at 1:39 pm
I think the author has some valid points as a newbie to TEFL I feel that they have validated my point of not spending the money, time and effort into a course which most people are agreeing is not worth it. As I was relocating to Spain, I did a weekend course and had 2 assessed teaching sessions and was told I was a ‘natural’, I should hope so as I spent most of my working life stood in front of colleagues and customers training or giving explanations in basic english! What is the difference between a teacher and a customer focused staff trainer? One has spent years at University doing subjects which are not in line with the real world and the other is a person who was lucky enough to make it in the real world without alot of debt. I am currently continuing my TEFL based studies by internet so at the end of my studies it will have cost around 500€ and I will have completed the regulatory 120hr study, in addition I have about 2 years full-time teaching experience which I suppose hasn’t always been monitored, but the clients are still paying for ME, to teach them rather than the BSc PGCE qualified teacher I work with who doesn’t have TEFL experience and speaks to all her students in a condescending manner, no doubt taught through her years of studying. Please make your mind up to who is better qualified or employable. I think it is to the individuals choice what route to take, but I feel the opinions of all of you are very one-sided and the questions to raise are. Do you want to teach? Are you prepared to not only teach for an hour, but also prepare materials for another hour without pay? Are you good with people of all ages? Are you a happy, approachable, good communicator with patience? Do you have the passion to succeed? If you answer no to any of these questions, then like the previous person said go and seek another occupation, because teaching is for the ones who want to make it happen for their students. I am in awe of people who are determined to go into further education, for me, it wasn’t an option but I would recommend that if you are a qualified teacher with letters behind your name, to check every now and then you are the person who you say you are and that you don’t lecture the ‘poor unqualified people’ into your way was best, because I personally don’t want your pity just your classes when you make a condescending hash of them.
April 23rd, 2009 at 1:56 pm
Further to my previous comments. I do actually work for an academy with a good reputation and clients with the names you would recognise. I am not wanting to upset anyone just to give balance to the people who think their way is right. As Karenne said
“1000 pounds is a lot of money, you’re right about that but maybe it helps wean out the time-wasters, free-loaders and I-don’t-know-what-else-to-do-with-my lifers.”
Is this me? My reason for teaching is I want to help my students to be able to utilise the grammar and writing lessons they did at school and speak and understand native english speakers with confidence and to assist in pronunciation for the university going students I have met along my way, who are embarrased to speak yet they are so highly educated!!
I apologise if my comments are deemed harsh, I agree that anyone can do these courses and which one is the best or the most correct, however I hope we can agree that you have to be of a certain calibre of person, with some education whether recognised or not and have the heart and passion to learn/teach and motivate your students to be taught and better their prospects.
Again I apologise if anyone finds my ‘non-university’ approach insincere.
April 23rd, 2009 at 2:33 pm
It’s people like this writer who give the ELT profession a bad name. Because they can speak English, they think they can teach it without putting any effort into it – but being a native English speaker doesn’t mean they are capable of teaching English!
People who just want to go on a “gap year” teaching English abroad are more suited to doing a weekend TEFL course or a short distance-learning course. These courses are cheaper, take less time, and just give you the basics of teaching. CELTA and Cert.TESOL courses are more suited to teachers who want to gain a proper teaching qualification and make a career out of ELT – they are expensive, and take time and dedication to complete, but they are well worth the money, time and effort required.
All teachers – whether highly-qualified or not – should realise that reading books, learning grammar, planning lessons “and stuff like that” is always necessary. To be an effective English Language Teacher you need to understand the language – and that includes the grammar. So if you don’t understand English grammar, don’t teach English!
April 23rd, 2009 at 5:31 pm
Whether CELTA, one of the other brand name courses (Trinity, SIT) or one of the generics, it only makes sense that if you’re going to start a career teaching what to your students is a foreign language you should have at least some minimal level of training in the actual process of teaching a language.
I did my course through Coventry House International’s ONTESOL (www.ontesol.ca), which is a 250-hour course recognized by the government of Canada through TESL Canada. The course work was as grueling as any of my college courses (I have a degree in multidisciplinary studies that, in part, includes special education). I especially hated the process of doing lesson plans using a set format and all that stuff about morphology, well, I was almost beginning to think I was pursuing a linguistics degree!
Of course, the most important part of any course is the teaching practicum. It isn’t enough to just learn the theory and the methodology, you have to learn how to put all of that to work in a real classroom setting. It’s no different than what one would expect if one was pursuing teacher licensure in one’s home Anglophone country – except the teaching practicum for the licensure is much more than just those minimum of six hours that is the industry standard in the TEFL industry.
I can see a time coming when those going into TEFL will need the same qualifications they would need to go into ESL in their home countries’ government-run schools.
April 23rd, 2009 at 6:34 pm
I did a PGCE a long time ago – so things may well have changed.
I did a total of 5 observed 30 minute lessons during my 3 months in a state secondary school. I did about 15 hours a week of sink or swim teaching, with no help, guidance or resources. None were ‘properly observed’ in the way a CELTA TP should be. One was an extra exam because I was doing badly and had to have an external examiner… I passed and have a PGCE. I never even saw any good demo lessons! Just the regular class teachers doing their crowd control routine!
I learned next to nothing except that I didn’t want anything to do with the UK state school system.
A good CELTA or Trinity Cert will teach you far more about teaching than my PGCE did. I often leave my PGCE off my CV as I don’t want to get labelled as a teenager specialist or asked to teach Maths in English. However, it has on occasion got me extra pay – so it’s not been totally useless.
Like I say – times have changed and PGCEs are more worthwhile nowadays. I wonder if there are holders of both PGCEs and CELTA or equivs who would like to offer an opinion on the difficulty, rigour and value of the various systems.
I know there is more work on a modern Trinity cert than I ever had to do on my PGCE in 1986-7.
April 23rd, 2009 at 7:42 pm
Well I have been teaching EFL and academic writing for ten years now with real qualifications (not a CELTA). I did a BA in English with a linguistics minor and an MA in English (emphasis in rhetoric and composition/academic writing). I also took three post-graduate classes in teaching ESL/EFL at the MA level which included over 60 hours of observed teaching. I have taught university in the United States, high school, language schools in Poland, FE college in London etc.
But . . . because I don’t have a CELTA I am not qualified to teach at a summer camp in the U.K. Or at a language school in the U.K.
Hm . . .
I have taught with many 21-25 year old teachers with a CELTA and I suppose it is ok (perhaps better than nothing) but hardly a real academic qualification for teaching English and EFL.
The CELTA is mostly a scam like many language schools are scams! IH is the global leader of the CELTA scam!
I think real teachers should get real qualifications or at least get good professional development and coaching on the job by people with real qualifications. Not a lame 4 week crash course for £1000!
April 23rd, 2009 at 7:46 pm
oh and I should add the FE college I work at in London wants to pay for to get a CELTA. They know I am well-qualified but it is a U.K. thing. The government over-regulates and strangles education here.
Still, good teachers keep fighting the good fight!
April 23rd, 2009 at 7:53 pm
Seems like a lot of people reading this blog think that Johnathan Swift actually wanted to eat babies, too.
April 23rd, 2009 at 9:08 pm
Obviously doing _more_ than a CELTA innoculates you from perception of satire. Those PGCE and above types who think they are so intelligent could really do with a little self-examination… all in my humble opinion, of course…
April 23rd, 2009 at 10:46 pm
Incidentally AleX, shouldn’t you haave the right to reply to the comments… snigger…
April 23rd, 2009 at 10:53 pm
Dear Trent, I think your modest proposal will go “WHOOSH” over the heads of most here! Having had yet another glass (no teaching but some late season skiing tomorrow) I’ve just read a few more comments and have the giggles again…
PS: sorry for any weissbier typos..
April 24th, 2009 at 7:59 am
This article seems to have turned into a debate between the “haves” and the “have-nots”! But we need to remember our students – they have the right be taught by a qualified English Language Teacher who is good at his/her job.
You don’t need to have an MA or BA – or even a DELTA or Dip.TEFL – to be a “proper” English Language Teacher. Teachers need to be qualified to teach their subject – CELTA and Cert.TESOL have been tailor-made to train teachers to teach English as a second language. If you want to teach other subjects, or teach in other education establishments, these qualifications are not adequate because they were not designed for this.
Good teachers are not just those with loads of letters after their names. As well as knowledge of their subject, they need to have the in-born ability to stand up in front of a class, deliver their lessons with enthusiasm, and encourage their students to progress. Some people have this ability; others do not.
I might not have an MA, but I am a post-graduate with a Cert.TESOL, and a Certificate in Teaching Business English – all of which have given me adequate academic knowledge and preparation to be a good English Language Teacher. I respect teachers who are more highly qualified than I am, and would be grateful if they gave a little more respect to those of us who are less qualified than they are, but are still qualified to teach our subject, are enthusiastic and good at our jobs.
April 24th, 2009 at 5:43 pm
Well, it’s all very interesting, isn’t it!
I guess what really matters to those who pay to our bosses, and our bosses who then pay us, is whether we can actually teach or not….
What I personally find useful is having a few techniques that keep me comfortably afloat in the classroom, and therefore render my working life enjoyable and reasonably stress free.
It’s the weekend now, so I’m of to enjoy what EFL is really all about – a wander around a part of the world that seems interesting and different from the last place I worked in. ;-)
April 25th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
I did the CELTA and my PGCE in the same year, and if anything sticks in my mind it’s the following:
CELTA: methodology, methodology, methodology – to the exclusion of all else! And was it always the same methodology? Of course it was – PPP, TTT, etc, etc…
PGCE: lots of interesting and educational (but ultimately peripheral and complementary) stuff on ‘the adult learner’, the ‘psychology of learners’, and ‘classroom-based research’, but sweet FA on … how to teach in the classroom!
So, I reckon I’ve had the best of both worlds – if not the worst, too.
April 25th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
Trent wrote: “Seems like a lot of people reading this blog think that Johnathan Swift actually wanted to eat babies, too.”
I hear they’re really good marinated in a cilantro and lime mixture and then grilled.
We’re talking about entry-level qualifications here but it does raise the larger issue of whether any four-week entry-level course can ever really prepare you for the classroom.
April 28th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
Oh dear! If you feel embarrassed to stand in front of a class or prefer to start with an audience of one and work your way through, you should have taken a TKT course instead!
I go with the groups logic thing someone had discussed above, too. How can you forget all the improvisation you need to be a resourceful teacher? And by the way, you didn’t really mean you thought you could go on a working holyday and return a professional teacher, did you?!
First of all, low TTT really works, even in Elementary classes. I used to actually lecture my elementary students, but then my DoS came to me with the TTT<STT formula one day and I gave it a try. The result: marvelous! Students were first a little confused, but then they fell in love with talking independently in groups or as a class (in classes with fewer than 8 student of course). After a month, they were more fluent and error-cautious and a lot more vocabulary had been activated.
Also, you don’t get paid to run a theme park or a kindergarten. You go to class to educate and that does not come in free discussion boards or by giving lectures on what you think of the country. You have to PRESENT, get them to PRACTICE and then make them PRODUCE. Even a warmer needs to be pointed toward that very direction and designed in harmony with the overall goal of the session.
And one more thing; I used to think video sessions and workbook go-throughs are breaks. Now, however, I believe no session is a break. You are supposed to teach even during exams, and that’s something a Cambridge teaching qualification makes you understand. Of course you needn’t have passed a CELTA course to understand that, and I agree that the fee is hefty. A few years of decent classroom experience and elbow grease can give you the same insight.
May 4th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
I am the first to say that I’m not the perfect English teacher
but my students learn real English from me.
Just have fun while delivering a dose of sublimate messages.
Learning can be fun, succes of the students is your succes.
Don’t forget the first teachers taught their students outside under a tree without pc’s and stuff like that.
Have fun.
May 5th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
“Johnny” said:
‘If you’ve backpacked around the world for a few years and want to pretend you’re a real teacher then get a CELTA. You won’t …be able to teach in universities or regular high schools…etc’
Ha this isn’t true in Italy, or at least not in the city where I live. The university finds its language teachers through a ‘concorso’ in which private language schools bid for the yearly or 2-yearly contract. Fewr than 6 months after completing my CELTA equivalent I was teaching the final year, highest-ability group of language degree students. When you think that to teach in an English university one must possess at least an MA/DELTA in teaching, and often even a PhD, the students can get a pretty raw deal (in my case at least: I was a rubbish teacher).
I very easily got a job as a ‘lettrice’ (language assistant-cum-stand in for tired teachers) in the most reputable high school in town. Someone gave the secretary my phone number, I wrote an e mail asking for them to take me on, and the next week I was in the classroom. They literally had no idea who I was or what my qualifications were (not to mention absolutely no security checks or reference needed).
With a CELTA it’s possible to obtain decent jobs but admittedly without any long-term security. I don’t know how anyone can imagine going into a classroom wihout any instruction in the methods of teaching English as a Foreign Language.
May 11th, 2009 at 7:18 am
celta assessment is dogshit.
May 11th, 2009 at 8:11 am
Is there a suggestion in there somewhere? How would you go about it?
May 11th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
I’ve no idea about who you are Marcus, so don’t take this the wrong way love, but unfortunately it’s people who are arrogant about not doing an approved certificationn because they are “over qualified,” who inevitably make the most god-awful teachers.
Again, no idea what you do in your classroom and don’t mean to over generalize, however the worst two teachers I ever employed when DOS in Ecuador were the PhD and the MA Applied Linguistics guys. Both could spout a good theory or two, advise us all how the brain worked but they couldn’t share, communicate or teach.
On the flip side, despite what said earlier, had a young girl I hired in a bind who was absolutely fabulous.
Dom simply gave a rat’s and her insecurity about being in a sea of qualified teachers meant she sat hunched over the table long after they were gone, cutting and pasting and making supplementary materials – paying attention to her students wishes and wants.
She didn’t always know the answers to every grammar problem but she’d have no problem telling them that she didn’t then come running in to the staffroom, getting the rest of us to help her out.
No idea what she’s doing nowadays but I reckon if she went on and did her CELTA or CTESOL, she’s one fine and very employed teacher today.
Karenne
June 22nd, 2009 at 6:45 pm
Hi people
I have been teaching English for the past 5 years around Europen and I do not own
a. A celta
b. A Tefl, Tesol, etc…
c. A degree
However, I do own a big pair of bollocks and some get up and go and lots of grammar books, which is all you need to get by in the…. and also a slightly long nose from all the porkies I-ve been telling….But whatever, I get paid 25 to 30 euros an hour every day in my own living room and also from 60-80euros per hour for the conversationalist EU funded courses in the school !
If you want to make some money from teaching English then get out there and take the clients from the big schools like IH and British Institute. Go on….get stuck in !
July 9th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
Can anyone say something about DELTA? I need some advise on this because I’m planning to do the course.
July 19th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
Hi Mary Jo
Just posted a list of links to stuff by me and others on the DELTA and Trinity Dip
http://www.tefl.net/alexcase/teaching/tefl/teacher-training/teaching-qualifications/cambridge-trinity-diploma-links/
July 24th, 2009 at 10:28 am
Greetings TEFLERS,
I’ve been reading these messages with interest and from my own experience I would say that a basic TEFL course like the CELTA is essential to do things properly in the TEFL classroom, but more specialised qualifications are needed to teach the more specific classes that university students and most adult learners require.
I travelled round Europe with a very basic RSA (!) EFL Preparatory certificate, which was enough to keep teenagers entertained, but which allowed me to slip into some bad teaching habits (mainly a lack of elicitation). Some stuff I learned for myself, like material preparation and grammar, but I never felt the desire to do a DELTA because I felt you had to be some sort of genius to do so .
I could never do a proper PGCE because I can’t do Maths (really I can’t – I once got 0% for an exam in school and have had a psychological block against it ever since) – despite having a PhD in my subject of English Literature (and of course Language). I did apply to do the Post-Compulsory PGCE on two occasions, but those bastards at the so-called University of Greenwich turned me down – despite my having already having taught GCE English in F. E. colleges without actually having any qualification to do so (they were desparate for teachers).
I recently ‘upgraded’ my teaching qualifications by doing a part-time course in Further Education Teaching at a local FE college, which was all about the ‘social worker’ aspect of the job, but not about actual teaching (or ‘delivering’).
I am actually doing a job at the moment in London which involves a bit of teaching, and although it is designated as a ‘university college’ I am one of the most professionally qualified members of the teaching staff because of my ‘Stage One’ FE Teaching and 25-year-old RSA qualifications. However, what I do in class (a hybrid of IELTS teaching and EAP of my own devising) has little to do with what I learned about teaching and everything to do with trying to get blood out of stones (i.e. getting Chinese and Pakistani students to write a coherent essay).
In the end, it all boils down to having to adapt to particular teaching situations and circumstances and no particular teaching qualification can completely prepare you for that, but it will help you to develop the experience that will help you to adapt to the wierd work situations many teachers end up in.
‘Bye for now,
Robert Murray
July 26th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
It seems like you didnt understand what teaching is about or what the course was about. It gives you the tools and structure to be a good teacher. I am a good teacher and had a great CELTA tutor. Most teachers arent very good and China is the bottom of the rung.
August 8th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
I would love to be proved wrong. But at present I think there is a question mark about the CELTA course. We were expected to spend some hours learning another language as part of the course – but this was quite bogus. The teacher spent a few minutes interacting with us in elementary Indonesian. One student dropped out of the course immediately after this. I suspect that the other 5 of us all knew some indonesian and the fact that we could interact with the teacher proved nothing at all.
I would love to be proved wrong. At present I am still hoping to negotiate with Cambridge to get my assessment reviewed. At least by complaining now, I can get to be part of any future legal action if other students are appalled enought at their treatment to want to sue Cambridge.
The assessment was appalling. Fortunately I have tape recordings of some of the practice teaching lessons so I can ask for any negative comments in the assessment to be keyed to specific identified parts of the tape recordings.
I believe that this case may ultimately discredit Cambridge if it is not resolved.
September 8th, 2009 at 10:56 am
[...] again is in reponse to an article on big Alex’s TEFL Tastic blog questioning the merits of doing the CELTA course. The respondents, of which I was the first, seem to agree that the author’s opinions need to [...]
September 15th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
I’m actually thinking about doing CELTA so I could teach English in Vietnam for a year or so before grad school (for Creative Writing).
My greatest concern was that I’d pay the money and complete the class, but then I wouldn’t be able to find a job. How difficult is it to find teaching work after completion of CELTA? If I do well in the class, am I pretty much guaranteed a teaching gig?
Also, a few people mentioned that grammar is taught. I’ve actually been thinking about brushing up on my English grammar… I was wondering how thorough the grammar instruction is. By the end of it, will I have mastered all that “clause” stuff that you learn in high school and then forget?
September 15th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
I’m guessing you are American (by “high school” and the fact that you studied grammar there), which means you will know much more grammar than the Brits on the course, who will know none. However, reading up on bits of grammar you didn’t need to know at school and how to explain it to non native speaking students will be very useful, so ask the CELTA provider you choose or are thinking of to recommend a good EFL grammar book.
If you are willing to travel, you are guaranteed a lifetime of employment as a CELTA qualified teacher
October 5th, 2009 at 12:30 am
Everything aside, if you want to go to, lets say Japan to teach English. Lets say you are finishing up your undergrad. Well folks, all comments aside, I landed a job here in Japan, a great one, but after that year i ventured off on my own. If you only have undergrad, then before coming to a place like Japan, get a tesol/tefl/celta. It will not hurt. I found a job here in my second year without anything like a tesol so its defintely possible, but make it easier on yourself before you leave your home country, live with the folks and take the month long course before coming here. Having the course will make your resume stand out, actually make it on par, because so many of my friends have tesl equivalents and i currently dont. My contract ends in March, yes its a very short one. So ive done 3 weeks of research, I will say i know what im talking about now. If you are like me, are overseas teaching or dont wanna do the in-person thing and shell out 1000$ or whatever those crazy expensive celtas cost then do an online course. After your undergrad, stay at home, enjoy the summer and do it! Im going for ontesol. Youll find it easy on the net. I found i-to-i to be a loud website, frilly and expensive.
Ontesol seems like the fit for me. One last piece of advice. I agree that you owe it to the students to have knowledge and experience. So come on people, do the 100 hour course at least. Dont try to save 50$ and do the 60 hour one. Be warned, i almost applied for a 60 hour course out of laziness, but just do the 100 hour online, get it, put it in your portfolio and on your resume and enjoy the information you get from it.
I am starting my Master in April 2010 and plan to do the B.ed back home some day. So if some of you lazy people wanna teach overseas without anything more then undergrad (i know some asshats fake their undergrad cert print outs too) then go for it, but you will be hardpressed to find good work as a good teacher who cares about his/her students in a country such as Japan.
Matt
January 14th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
Can you actually live and save money in china teaching english with a BA and a celta. Im thinking of packing in my life at my office desk and becoming an english teacher. Always wanted to do my PGCE but never got the time and money?
Should I go for it? Is it possible?
February 5th, 2010 at 12:16 pm
Hi,
I think he is stop on. I am doing the CELTA and there are some CELTA students are a bunch of jokers. The teachers don’t care cause about the standard of the people teaching. It seems all they care about is £££££$$$$$$.
Also teaching in groups of 13 is not the best option, because of the mixed ability. In my class some students have dropped out.
Finally as the blogger said this thing about TTT is crap etc. Teaching should be fun. Whenever I tried to be creative I am told off. I have to follow the “fascists” rules.
Its a load bull Sh***T I have asked some students on the course to help me. They can’t teach me !!!! And they want to become teachers !!!!!! I knew some people who also did this course. They could not help me with some of the grammar. Everyone has done it for some selfish motive $$$$£££££ and not to empower weaker people .
April 10th, 2010 at 1:42 am
“That’s all very well for the Pre-Int students on the course, but Elementary students can’t say anything in English, can they?” In my celta course we had a foreign language lesson where the tutor demonstrated nonverbal communication and taught us all a little polish, with none of us having any prior polish experience. Are you a teacher or someone looking for a free vacation?
April 10th, 2010 at 10:43 am
A timely re-activation of the CELTA/PGCE (what standards/qualifications required?) debate. Unfortunately, such issues will not trouble the good people of IATEFL (International Association for teachers of English as a Foreign Language). They are too busy slapping each other on the back on what a big happy family they are to actually concern themselves with standards and accountability:
http://marxistelf.wordpress.com/2010/04/07/60-the-statistic-that-shames-iatefl/
Too busy self-eulogising to concern themselves with job losses/pay cuts directly brought about by the incompetence of industry leaders:
http://marxistelf.wordpress.com/2010/03/31/feeding-racism-the-staggering-incompetence-of-english-uk/
Needless to say, if we want to change, we have to organise ourselves to bring it about. This will not be done by having a go at the “naive young (and not so young) things” who sign up for the TEFL adventure promised by Guardian advertorials:
http://marxistelf.wordpress.com/2009/10/05/eastern-promise-guardian-tefl-revert-to-type/
but by aiming our fire at those who profit from the institutionalisation of low-standards.
April 12th, 2010 at 12:25 am
Some great comments. I’m one of ‘those’ uncertified teachers over here in Asia. I wish I had done a certificate before arriving, but have definitely learned a lot from myself, my students, and other teachers and managers over the years.
I’m leaning towards a CELTA or DELTA, but honestly, wondering about my ROI in terms of time, future earnings, and knowledge gained. I’ve got 6+ years teaching all levels, but now focus on teaching adults.
I have a question for those who completed a CELTA or DELTA after beginning their teaching career: was it worth taking time off from teaching and going back to get certification?
April 12th, 2010 at 8:46 am
Neil has the problem most of us have. I started teaching in tutorial school without even an O-level. I liked it and I was told I was good at it (lots of lessons and students stayed).
I had to get a degree (governments) and got various PG Dips as well, but never a CELTA. All done part time in the Far East while earning a living. CELTA is for teaching adults, it is to keep administrators and governments happy, and give a bit of confidence to some people wanting a holiday. As a teaching qualification, it is just too shallow and too short – it is of course better than nothing – but so is taking a picture of your Mum to the classroom. It earns a lot of money and air-time for Cambridge and course providers.
I think any teacher would be better off getting a degree and at least a Dip TESOL or similar from a reputable University. These are accepted in most places (except Brunei) whereas a CELTA is feeble outside the country you got it.
You can be a good teacher with no qualifications and do well with private students, but a bachelors/PG Dip ensures an easy life (administratively speaking).
The Thai Government has a mandatory requirement in place for a Bachelor degree, teachers certificate in Thai culture and ethics and certificate of no criminal conviction. I know schools (I mean ‘know’) which employ teachers with criminal records and no qualifications – one, employed by a British manager who likes a tesol certificate.
April 29th, 2010 at 11:43 am
I think the CELTA is a nice introduction to teaching EFL, but it does not make you a teacher.
I have been working as an EFL teacher for almost 3 years now and have recently decided to go back to university to study a degree in TESOL. I want to learn more about what i am actually doing in the class room, linguistics, methods and everything else that can only be learnt by studying with professionals.
If your serious about wanting to make EFL taching a career, then you have to further your study just like any other profession in this world. you can’t take a first aid course, watch casualty, read a book and expect to become a doctor, so why should it be any different with EFL teaching.
So, for all those ‘CELTA’ reachers out there, who assume that they are brilliant teachers, even though all they have is a few A levels and a 1 month CELTA course, your probably not! but you might have the potential to be…
May 10th, 2010 at 2:46 pm
Yes, you right to a certain level, but CELTA ,TEFL or any other intensive course in teaching really empowers you with class room teaching tools that make the teacher’s job easier.Celta techniques in some classes fail to deliver the desired results,though. However, doing MA in Tesol or Tefl brings you the perfect control on what you are doing, it is sometimes a dream for teachers; either they might be too busy to do it, or simply they can’ afford to get one because courses like these from an accredited universities are very expensive.
May 19th, 2010 at 5:19 pm
Having recently finished a year teaching in Asia at kindergarten level, I can’t help but think that having a celta before I went would have really helped me, and my students, out. I think I did a good job once I settled in and got used to planning lessons and writing reports, marking exams etc but it took a good couple of months for this to all become normal and not terrifying. I’ll be doing a celta soon, just to help me get work in Europe, as it’s not really needed to teach in Asia, although I know standards are being hiked. Good thing. The amount of people I knew in Korea who were supposed to be teachers and spent all their time drunk or hungover, and who stuck their kids in front of Kung Fu Panda all day as an alternative to actual teaching… for some it really is a holiday. Let’s hope the demand for qualified teachers goes up for the sake of the kids otherwise they’ll continue to be “taught” by bored foreigners who are only there to collect their ridiculously high earnings every month and don’t know the difference between’ their’ and ‘there’, anyway…
May 24th, 2010 at 7:19 pm
Whoever cant read the satire and sarcasm is this ‘real’ essay needs to step back, have a smoke, and read it again, because your inability to read read this essay as the intended joke that it is would be worrisome to most intelligent teachers. Especially teachers that teach the english language for a living.
Also, to Johnny, the ‘real english teacher’, you havent the slightest clue of what you speak. You really don’t. And I have my teaching certification.
If you think that having your certification makes you better qualified to teach esl, then your dead wrong for a number of reasons. The first being that it doesnt matter if you can teach english or not. When you work for a language institute, your ethical allegiance is to them, as they are paying you, and your only ethical responsibility is to keep seats filled. If that means effectively teaching english, than so be it. If that means being only entertaining, than so be it. The market will rate your behavior through their continued attendance. Your employer will then keep you on as a teacher, or not, based on your overall effectiveness in keeping butts in the seats. If you idealistically believe differently, then you need to take your baby bottle and sit home because your perspective is that of a child. To say that someone with a CELTA isnt a real teacher makes you sound both naive as well as not very intelligent. On a more subjective level, I have seen experienced people without either a CELTA or a certification teach circles around people with both. So take your higher than thou childishness, sit home and stick it up your ass. OR grow up, go to work, stop worrying about and judging others and improve everything about your life.
June 26th, 2010 at 2:15 am
God help those self-important teachers of English who can’t recognise (oh sorry: R-E-C-O-G-N-I-Z-E) satire when they read it! Try looking at the context before you decide the writer’s contention, and indeed the publisher’s intention.
This is SATIRE.
June 30th, 2010 at 11:05 pm
Look CELTA was tough but that is why it is so in demand. Sure, tough program but like one of the other writers said, it separates the sheep from the goats. I’ve done TEFL after CELTA and TEFL was a joke in comparison. So why not just go for the course with the most value. At CELTA they always reiterated to use the knowledge according to the students’ needs. They just give you the best possible knowledge possible in 4 weeks so that you can make the best decisions for yourself. You’ll be shooting yourself in the foot if you choose TEFL over CETLA.
June 30th, 2010 at 11:51 pm
Your story just doesn’t add up. There’s no such thing as “TEFL”, and if you mean you did a TEFL certificate from another organisation, why on earth would you need to do that if you already had the CELTA??
July 7th, 2010 at 10:55 pm
“Why don’t they just make it shorter and cheaper?” LOL
July 24th, 2010 at 3:21 pm
CELTA is awesome… definitely the best course out there. the guy who wrote this is obviously a moron…
August 18th, 2010 at 7:29 pm
Well, I’m trying to decide whether to pay the money for the CELTA. I’ve been teaching English for over 2 years now without a qualification but when I asked at the British Council about work I was told that without a CELTA I wouldn’t be considered. So I want to take the course. However, I am very concerned about the workload. Is it really that bad? some things in the original message rang true for me as a teacher. About what “really” works in the class. Basically, I’m kind of scared. Any advice?
August 18th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
Geraldine, maybe the best place to start is with your own physical fitness and capacities. With the one-month course, you may have to perform and keep calm with cumulatively less and less sleep. Can you deal with that? I couldn’t. I wish I had done a longer course.
Then you need to look at where you are going to do it. It is a uniform course, with standardised delivery, however, the culture of the institution surely influences how you cope with the course. A crack university city campus with all mod-cons and a reputation for high academic rigour will NOT offer the ‘don’t worry, be happy’ message that a course delivered in tropical paradise might. Think about that. Which institutional culture are you most likely to succeed in?
Now I know that the extra time would have made the difference for me, given I had to do it in an academically excellent (unchilled, intimidating,competitive) environment. Shop around. Meet the tutors. And speak to graduates of the course if you can.You are the consumer.
A hint – you may want to hide the fact that you have taught, if you can, on your CV. In my course, it was noticeably those with experience who struggled more, got less help, had different expectations from some tutors, raged, dropped out or failed. With a tutor who expects – or possibly prefers – tabula rasa students – your experience (of non- CELTA teaching) is a fly in the ointment.
Don’t be afraid to research the Trinity Cert. TESOL either. They are both highly regarded and internationally-recognised. Like McDonalds vs Burger King/Hungry Jack’s, really!
Hope this helps you in some way.
Jane
September 22nd, 2010 at 4:39 pm
Hi all,
I have just returned from Spain where i taught TEFL for 3 years and also completed an online TEFL theory course of 120h. I also have a PGCE, albeit in PE.
However, it seems from comments here that to work in the UK i need to get the CELTA or am i mistaken?
If so, without wishing to sound arrogant will this course provide me with further required skills needed for the UK market or will i be basically lobbing out a grand (im a bit poor at the moment too) for a licence to work.
Does anyone have any advice or suggestions in regard to what might be the best course of action in these circumstances?
September 25th, 2010 at 7:23 am
I think there is a real question about whether the CELTA course itself is a scam. I queried my result but was only able to get replies which rubber stamped the original decision.
This could eventually damage the name of Cambridge University if it is not resolved.
September 25th, 2010 at 9:55 am
@ Andy – if you want to teach in an English-speaking country – you need it.
October 1st, 2010 at 4:19 am
So I’ve been teaching in Tokyo, Japan for 2 years now, Ive never taking a cert course or anything and Ive done just fine. My question is, this one company that im going to try and start working for is asking for a cert, although the work will be easier than the work im doing now. So, can anyone list the things that are covered throughout the CELTA courses so i can BS my way through the interview if they ask about it?
November 15th, 2010 at 11:28 pm
I am literally days away from applying for the intensive four week CELTA course, but I’m having serious doubts. I am aware that there will be a lot of work involved and it will probably be very stressful, but I am more worried about the fact I have never taught anything in my life and feel incredibly daunted by that prospect alone! I know it may seem stupid of me to even consider this course since it is all about teaching, but at first I though it would be a good challenge (albeit an expensive one) and I hoped it might help with my confidence and independence. After reading these comments however, I am worried my lack of experience will be to my detriment. I have a BA in English and since graduating I haven’t found any relevant work and I have reached the end of my tether in my current uninspiring, boring, non stimulating job. When I heard about the CELTA course I thought it would be a great opportunity to learn a valuable skill that I could use to help others and experience life in another country. (not as a holiday of course, but as a new career).
I don’t know what to do any more!! Should I take the chance and spend all that money on something I may not even be able to complete because of silly stage-fright? Or do I forget about it and miss an amazing opportunity?
Sorry for the rambling in this post, I’m just at a cross-roads and would greatly appreciate some advice.
November 18th, 2010 at 12:29 pm
@Vera:
Recommendation: Find someone you know who is willing to be a guinea pig and volunteer to teach them something. Anything. Next: Find a few friends and volunteer to teach all of them something. Anything. Hate the experience? Find a different profession because you won’t like teaching a class full of people who aren’t your friends.
I love teaching. It is the most challenging, rewarding, and interesting profession I can imagine. I love the fact that every day is different & a learning experience.
@Alex Case:
I worked in NYC for three years as a fully certified teacher using my credentials from the University of British Columbia. There are lots of cross-certification examples like this. If you really want to go into teaching, take the 4 year degree. A four week course, while better than nothing, is NOT going to prepare you properly for teaching.
November 23rd, 2010 at 1:28 pm
@ David
Thank you for your reply and advice. Whilst I haven’t really “taught” anyone before, I have shown friends how to do things in the past and I do remember feeling a sense of accomplishment when they were able to understand what I showed them. I know it will be a challenge but I suppose I won’t really know if it’s the right option for me until I try it.
If you have any other advice or information I would be grateful for it!
Thanks again :-)
June 6th, 2011 at 12:23 pm
I am 2 weeks away from finishing my CELTA course done over 6 months alongside a job, it cost £700 and I think a good investment. It was very challenging, hard work but very interesting. I have no background in teaching and went into it not knowing whether I’d like it or not, fortunately found I did.. the sense of satisfaction when you feel you are passing on knowledge. I know it’s just a starting point and I’ve still got heaps more to learn but I reckon it’s given me the basic tools to go forward & not make a total fool of myself. I can’t wait to unleash myself on the world, and no, I don’t view it as a holiday but an opportunity to experience life abroad while doing something useful.
June 23rd, 2011 at 1:30 pm
“No one tells you about having to prepare lessons, read books, learn grammar and stuff like that.”
lol
I can’t believe they made you do that kind of stuff.
When I did mine, we just hung out all day having a laugh.
June 28th, 2011 at 7:34 am
I did CELTA for 2 weeks and hated every moment of it. What a joke! The course was laden in politics with a teacher who gave good marks to females who had clearly failed to teach an appropriate class lesson and average marks to males who were actually teaching far better classes. That in itself is a disgrace and CELTA needs to begin to manage the politics that are so often displayed in their less than professional teaching. I recently priced CELTA in Paris and the course is 1,500 Euros. Here’s the thing, I can do a ‘real’ teaching Masters externally at an Australian University for $5,400. The course is 1.5 years, but at the end you are actually qualified with a University Qualification that will be taken seriously and a qualification that does enable you to teach at the highest standards. BTW – I live in Paris. CELTA isn’t worth a thing here unless you have numerous years of teaching experience. CELTA is good for Asia where people often don’t want to work and perhaps where the locals don’t understand that quality of teaching does not occur when someone has completed a 4 week course. Then, of course, in many of these countries you simply need to have a Uni degree (any degree) to be qualified to teach. On the other hand MA TESOL is highly regarded in France and work is guaranteed (I was offered work having only begun the degree). In fact in France CELTA is held in such low regard that many English schools (including the better ones e.g. BabySpeak etc) run their own teaching courses to ensure quality. In conclusion: I’m now studying my MA TESOL. It’s superb! Real theory and real best practice teaching principles and a real qualification. CELTA, I do not recommend to anyone other than those looking for a low income job in an Asian country.
June 29th, 2011 at 7:41 am
DON’T do the CELTA in Brussels, I have heard negative feedback about this fledgling ‘centre’. It’s basically a one woman show with a questionable take on assessment, especially with regards to objectivity (but I have read a lot of centres are like this). As a teacher that has gone down the PGCE route, I don’t question that the course is demanding and hard work, (it would have to be to cover what needs to be covered) but I do agree that the experience (however gruelling) doesn’t necessarily equip you to teach. From what I’ve been told the method (and according to CELTA there is only one method!) is very formulaic and could become tedious and a little patronising if used all the time. I also agree with the comments on the IH and CELTA scam.
June 30th, 2011 at 12:51 pm
So in other words, you don’t know what you are talking about.
July 1st, 2011 at 10:28 am
Is that comment directed at me or Alex? If it is to me, then yes, I think I do. A lot of research, friends responses and my own experience of not CELTA but Trinity has led me to make, what I think is a well informed decision. With regards to the Brussels ‘centre’ if people want to spend their money on something like a CELTA I would advise going to a well established centre in order to ensure they get the best possible experience.
July 1st, 2011 at 11:36 am
I agree that some centers are probably better than others, but all of them still have to meet minimum standards. Sounds to me like you probably run a course that completes with the CELTA and/or IH.
“It’s basically a one woman show…” – doesn’t the CELTA usually require two trainers for a course?
“a questionable take on assessment, especially with regards to objectivity…” Says who? There are multiple assessments evaluated by different trainers and only a participant on the course would actually know — that would certainly be privileged information.
From what I’ve been told the method (and according to CELTA there is only one method!) is very formulaic and could become tedious..” Currently, CELTA courses are available at over 286 centers in 54 countries. Perhaps you could provide us with a link to one of those that discusses anything called the ‘CELTA Method’?
July 1st, 2011 at 1:52 pm
Exactly my point, some centres are better than others. I have heard (and read) from different sources about the massive difference in standards when it comes to CELTA centres. Your suspicions are incorrect I’m afraid – I do not run a course in Brussels (or anywhere near Brussels for that matter – I have nothing to gain in that respect). I run a charity for teenagers and adults (all in some way or another in financial crisis), teaching them English and other life skills. As far as I’m aware there are no other CELTA training courses or equivalent in the whole of Belgium. I do however have a lot of experience with teachers and listen with interest to their teacher training experiences (from varied backgrounds – not jut CELTA). I will accept CELTA applicants but know that it doesn’t necessarily mean that there is a ‘standard’ so to speak, not one that can be relied upon any way. But how can any four week course, however intensive, supply a person with adequate knowledge on such a broad and varied subject?
‘Meeting standards’ you say – yes well who could ever say anything against an institutions standards…? As I have been told time and time again, and from my own experience of Trinity years ago – assessment can not be objective (enough) if the same person teaching is also the same person giving the overall appraisal at the end. Endless arguments have been in favour of this position as well as against it.
With regards to ‘the method’ – you speak to any teacher trained through CELTA on their teacher training and they will outline the same thing – and then they will probably go on to say that they very rarely use it!
The CELTA machine is a very well respected one – and I am not totally against it – but does that mean it should never be questioned?
July 1st, 2011 at 3:29 pm
Sure things can be questioned and I’m glad that people do. I also think that Trinity and SIT TESOL offer some good courses as far as TEFL certs are concerned — and those are certainly two alternatives worthy of consideration.
Based on your comments, it seems that you prefer Trinity over the CELTA and I’m curious as to what you see as the main differences (if any) when comparing the two? As you know, the British Council considers them equivalents. One could also take that to mean ‘Don’t do the CELTA’ and ‘Don’t do the Trinity’. I’m sure that the Trinity centers vary as much as CELTA centers do, which is not to say that any of them are bad. Some differences are simply human nature. A teacher trainer can 8 years of experience or 18.
July 1st, 2011 at 4:00 pm
They may well be equivalents but I don’t favour one of them more than the other. I couldn’t, knowing how varied the outcome in standard is and knowing that with both courses you have the same flaw – mentioned above. Back when I first encountered Trinity I didn’t particularly understand the assessment system, but I just sensed an unfairness, not necessarily towards me, but on the whole. A Master’s in educational research has given me a wider scope for understanding. Despite them being very similar courses – CELTA has the upper hand when it comes to reputation. It’s the backing from Cambridge that will swing it every time. I think the whole assessment procedure needs to change. It would cost a lot of money and a lot of centres may well have to close down. It’s not in CELTAs interest to do this. So they won’t.
July 2nd, 2011 at 12:32 am
So what is it that you don’t like about the assessment procedure ? The failure rate on the CELTA is, in fact, around 3 percent.
July 2nd, 2011 at 8:11 pm
What do you like about it? Do you think there are areas that could be improved? What do you think that percentage rate tells us about CELTA?
July 2nd, 2011 at 9:06 pm
You’re the one saying don’t do the CELTA because of assessment. So why is that?
July 4th, 2011 at 11:53 am
It seems as though you just want to question me and not give any answers/opinions yourself. I have briefly outlined my concerns with the assessment procedure. You stated the failure rate percentage and I’m asking you what you think that tells us? You also state that there are minimum standards and I’m asking you whether you agree that they are sufficient and whether you think areas could be improved upon?
July 4th, 2011 at 6:49 pm
My opinion of whether or not it could be improved is irrelevant, because I’m not here saying don’t do the CELTA and you’ve answered my question with more questions. I happen to think that a lot of programs could be improved, including some PGCE, MA and doctoral programs. But again, that’s very different from telling people to stay away from a course or ‘don’t do’ one?
Maybe I’m missing something, and forgive me if I am, but don’t see a specific ‘outline’ of assessment there. So again, what are your specific concerns about assessment? It’s not clear to me.
August 9th, 2011 at 1:09 pm
I back you up 100%. CELTA is a whirl wind 4 weeks, with little time to ‘digest’ and reflect. As the principal of large ESOL centre I can vouch for the inability of the CELTA trainee to walk into a classroom an hold their own. CELTA trainees tread water for months on end!
The best teachers qualification out there is the City and Guilds ACE Course (Access Certificate in English Language Teaching). At our Centre we have noticed time and time again, that ACE teachers can walk straight out of training into any classroom!
August 10th, 2011 at 9:42 am
Took me one second on your site to see you’re not an unbiased observer. Also, it’s a spoof!
August 25th, 2011 at 7:46 am
I have been an IELTS teacher for the past 8 years, I took my CELTA in January 2011 in Toronto. For me CELTA was an amazing experience, something I can’t even describe properly. I am not a native English speaker, I have learned English all by myself and I have always been looking for ways to teach better. During my teaching experience I have tried to write syllabi, changed them over time, but when I passed CELTA, it was a new world, a totally new horizon. The course itself was a shock, that is no doubt. But retrospectively, when you look at it you realize how useful it is in the real world of teaching English. Having a methodical teaching is something we should never scape from and CELTA adds method to everyone’s teaching. Anyway, for me the angel is totally different from the starter of this post. I loved it, I loved the teachers, I loved the syllabus and I believe that the intensity of the course was a real challenge, I felt just like I was bunji jumping, the only difference was the length of the thrill.
October 5th, 2011 at 5:20 pm
I just completed the CELTA course and:
- I lost so much sleep over it I thought I was going to collapse
- It was hard work
- I couldn’t believe how stressful it actually was, even after all the warning
- I made amazing friends
- I had two great, impartial, overworked, hardworking tutors who went out of their way to give us a hand and support us.
- I finally realized how bad of a teacher I actually was. And I’m not just one more brainwashed sheep, but when I started practicing what I was being taught in the input lessons… everything just sort of came together.
- I do believe they could try to make the written assignments directions clearer
- I also think they could devote some teaching practice to elementary level, instead of A2
- I absolutely think that if you want to go into teaching, previous experience or not, this type of course is the way to go.
- Please, go to a highly certified centre to do so. Go to the British Council, International House, do some research online and see if they’re worth it. One of my tutors was a woman with 20 plus years of experience, and her next assignment was to go to GENEVA, of all places, to set up a CELTA training centre.
October 6th, 2011 at 8:44 am
I agree with Michelle. The CELTA course was a whirlwind of ‘knowledge stuffing’ that practically passed me in the blink of an eye. If you don’t have any kind of teaching experience before the course–you will find it very difficult to keep up with their methodology. I spent most of my time pushing through stress soaked days and fighting sleepless nights. All my time was spent writing lesson plans and assignments. Each day I was executing the plans one after another– red eyed and exhausted. Input sessions were a blur because of the lack of sleep and each second was a fight against the clock to get ahead. What I can say about the celta was that it fully prepared me for working life. On the other hand however, post experiences on the course led me to feel that deep down I am perhaps not cut out to be a teacher even though I was handed the certificate.
November 4th, 2011 at 10:35 pm
Don’t do the full-time CELTA course if you have no experience of teaching. They assess you from the start and you have to conform to their fascistic way of teaching or else.
Basically they just want your money; it’s a business and once they’ve got your money they don’t give a flying f*ck how you do.
November 13th, 2011 at 11:42 am
I’m a primary teacher (PGCE) with 20 years’ classroom experience. I’m just coming to the end of my CELTA, and I’m very impressed. Although I always got great grades for my lesson observations back in school, I’ve learned even more doing this course. I’ve also enjoyed every minute of it!
With regard to the stress and lack of sleep – yes, it IS hard, but what you’re getting is a years’ worth of input crystallised into a few short weeks. You just have to concentrate on the end result and battle your way through it.
If you’re worried about the workload, and looking for a course in England, try to find one which spreads the work over six weeks if you can. Even better if it’s six weeks with half term reading week in the middle.They do exist. Good luck!
November 14th, 2011 at 7:42 am
Well, it was certainly interesting reading the article and all the comments. I have a few additional points to throw into the fray.
Firstly, CELTA (and any other equivalent qualification) is, in my opinion, better than 95% of any degrees in education out there if all you want to do is teach English. The reason I think this is because many of the degree programmes require a silly amount of theory, without much practice to actually impliment what is learnt into a lesson. The lessons themselves that are assessed are generally over-optimistically graded. I’ve seen, worked with and trained many teachers who have done these degrees and MAs, passed with distinction for their lessons, but can’t perform in the lesson and don’t take well to feedback about ways for them to develop. CELTA gives you a beginning base on which to build. Also, if you then go on to further qualifications, the CELTA gives you a good platform from which you can build on if you wish to persue a diploma (e.g. DELTA); that’s where you will see a difference in both status and pay. I cannot imagine even signing up for a diploma without a good certificate qualification.
Secondly, it always angers me when people go into teaching because they think it will be like a holiday and unbelievably simple. Yes, it is easy (if you don’t care about your learners, their futures, their needs, their satisfaction, the business, your own sense of achievement when they pass an exam, or get a promotion, or have a fantastic holiday where they speak to others in English, the list goes on), but surely any decent human being is not that selfish?
Basically, what I’m saying is if you only are looking out for yourself, not bothered about others, and you have a degree you can easily get by in ESL/EFL. But look back at when you were at school and think about all the teachers who were crap, didn’t give a monkey’s, and didn’t think about their students. What do you think of those people? Do you want to be tarnished with the same brush?
Source – Currently studying for PhD in Applied Linguistics (focus on teacher training and development), MA in Applied Linguistics (with TESOL specialisation), DELTA trainer, over 20 years international experience in Middle East, China, Japan, Korea, Germany, Poland, UK, France, Canada and Australia
November 30th, 2011 at 2:54 pm
I thought this article was a joke when I first started reading!
“Why don’t they give us Advanced students we can actually chat to at the beginning of the course- that’s got to be an easier way into it? Or, we could get our students watching a video for one of the lessons to give us a break. Or maybe start our lessons with just one student and then work our way up.” ?!?! That’s not the REAL WORLD, that’s not how classes work. If you can’t handle the CELTA course, then you can’t (and shouldn’t) be in charge of an actual classroom. Wouldn’t you be pissed if you paid so much for a course that teaches you how to push play on a video??
I completed my CELTA course a year ago in Milan and I really enjoyed it at the time and it has been really useful in my teaching experiences since then. I was hesitant to take it in the first place, but I realize looking back that I was NOT prepared to teach before the CELTA. Of course it is a bit rigid at times, and some of the points are exaggerated to the point of ridiculousness (instruction checking, no use of tables in the classroom, etc), but nevertheless it gave me a great foundation to branch off of with my own class. I believe the CELTA is for people who actually want to teach, and enjoy it. It is A LOT of work, it’s intense (which is something my school made very clear at the beginning) and a bit expensive (1800 Euros) but to me it has been worth it. I had two great instructors too, and I’m sure that makes a world of difference.
If you’re looking to get certified “for fun,” or as a sort of career backup, go for a cheaper TEFL alternative.
November 30th, 2011 at 3:09 pm
ALSO: It’s absolutely disgusting to think that there are people out there thinking that ESL teaching is simply a way to see the world for free or a “working holiday.” You’re teaching real PEOPLE, who either really want or NEED to learn English.
Most of the classes I teach are hard-working professionals, who pay hundreds of Euros a month to come to my class after work, in the evening. They’re exhausted, hungry, and just want to be at home with their families.
I’m not just getting paid for the two hours I am with them, there are hours and hours of work behind each lesson. Yes, including planning lessons, researching, checking homework, knowing my grammar inside and out, and this includes *GASP* actually having to read books sometimes! Oh, the horror!
If you want to be lazy, pick a career in which your laziness isn’t affecting other people’s lives! Cheers!
November 30th, 2011 at 9:52 pm
What a dick. “It’s stressful having to stand in front of a class and teach”?! Why the chuff did you apply to TEACH English then?!?!
December 1st, 2011 at 1:04 pm
I think the article is hilarious. Can no one see it for the satire that it so clearly is?
December 12th, 2011 at 12:59 am
CELTA is not something you need. The people who have it and really enjoyed the 4 week training program were favorites of the instructors. Well, let me tell you, all these instructors are interested in is maintaining the brit dominated business of english teaching (as far as international house).
The curriculum is old fashioned, much like the school CELTA get’s its name from. They don’t like new ideas and they don’t appreciate anybody with too much ambition. My theory is that international house is more interested in playing silly word games (fun, but pointless) than actually turning beginners into capable english speakers. Obviously they won’t need to continue coming to (and paying for) classes when they get to that point.
I couldn’t believe how incapable of expressing themselves the “advanced” group was. They couldn’t converse – doing odd grammatical tasks in the textbook suited them better. When I tried to get them to write, I found the instructors beginning to disapprove of my methods. Well, these “advanced” students could barely write at all.
Some of these “advanced” students had been taking lessons for more than a decade! What kind of “school” is this? One that would rather play stupid games with their students then teach them evidently. AND charge way too much for a crap “training” program.
If you are wondering if CELTA could turn you into a good english teacher, and you’re under the impression that international house is a great institution, please save your money. It’s a factory whose product is pointless activities from the textbook taught by a freshfaced monkey.
If you are any good at turning beginners into english speakers, go freelance.
If you want to play games and hold back students from getting anywhere, go work for international house.
December 13th, 2011 at 4:02 am
Well James, with real opinions like johnson’s it is difficult to work out what is and isn’t satire…
December 13th, 2011 at 7:53 am
Yes, I suppose that is true. However johnson’s comment also gave me a chuckle… “pointless activities from the textbook taught by a freshfaced monkey” lol
December 29th, 2011 at 2:48 pm
I have not completed a CELTA/DELTA course as yet. Sadly, it appears that not many of you have completed one either. With few exceptions, your grammar is atrocious. Perhaps some study of an English grammar text book might be advantageous before considering teaching to students who don’t speak English in the first place…..
December 31st, 2011 at 10:00 pm
Another comment that is beyond parody…
January 5th, 2012 at 3:27 pm
I have been accepted on a CELTA course in Manhattan, starting real soon. I haven’t paid yet. I know it will be challenging and exciting and will open up new possibilities for me. I have no previous teaching experience but want to move in that direction. I mean, what I aim to get out of it is a job, a job I know I will be under qualified for even with a CELTA cert. I have found the variety of comments posted helpful but I was wondering if anyone knew what the job market and starting salaries are like in New York, or indeed whether employers seek teachers with more work experience than solely that done on a CELTA course.
We all have to start somewhere.